Traders Shift to On-Chain Perps: DEXs Surge in 2025

Hey traders, the crypto scene is on fire! Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) are shaking things up in perpetual futures, or perps, contracts with no expiry that let you speculate on assets like Bitcoin with leverage. 

Centralized exchanges (CEXs) like Binance used to own this space, but in 2025, DEXs are stealing the spotlight with better privacy, access, and non-custodial security. On-chain trading is surging, pulling serious volume from CEXs. Let’s unpack why traders are flocking to decentralized platforms for perps.

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Why DEXs Are Taking Over Perps Trading

Perpetual futures have long been a CEX stronghold, grabbing over 90% of crypto derivatives volume. 

But tech barriers slowed DEX adoption – until now. With slick intent-based systems, deep liquidity, and user-friendly interfaces, DEXs match CEX speed while keeping your funds safe. 

This shift is eating into CEX profits as traders embrace on-chain perps for their transparency and no-middleman approach. 

Amid DeFi’s 2025 boom, DEXs are proving they can rival centralized giants, offering seamless access across blockchain networks you choose.

How DEXs Are Redefining On-Chain Perps

DEXs are hitting CEXs from all angles, offering perps in ways that cater to different traders and chains. They’re fast, feature-packed, and feel like CEXs but run on decentralized tech. 

From appchains to liquidity pools, they’ve tackled slow speeds and high fees. Here’s what’s driving the shift:

• Diverse Platforms: Leading PerpDEXs like dYdX and GMX offer unique setups, from orderbooks to pools, suiting all trader types.

• Scalability Boost: Layer-2 and appchain tech make trades lightning-fast and cheap, rivaling CEX performance.

These innovations show DEXs are serious about dominating on-chain perps in 2025, blending CeFi’s ease with DeFi’s freedom.

Read Also: Decentralized AI: How Blockchain Empowers Trust in Multi-Agent Systems

dYdX’s Appchain Leap for High-Speed Perps

dYdX started on Ethereum but jumped to a Cosmos appchain, unlocking next-level performance. This move gave it full control over its blockchain, slashing latency and costs. 

Trades now settle in under a second – critical for high-frequency perps where timing is everything. Its daily volume averages $200M, hitting $500M at peaks, with over 200 markets and a $12M TVL MegaVault letting users earn fees. 

dYdX shows how appchains boost DEXs, offering CeFi-like speed without custodial risks, drawing traders to secure, on-chain perps.

GMX’s Liquidity Edge and Synthetic Expansion

On Arbitrum’s Layer-2, GMX leverages low fees and high throughput for top-tier liquidity. Its GLP pool backs perps with diverse assets, reducing losses and enabling exotic pairs. In 2025, GMX added altcoins like KAS and OKB, plus real-world assets in a $23B market. Key updates include:

• Gasless Trading: No fees for trades, boosting accessibility.

• Multichain Growth: Solana integration in March 2025 spiked volumes.

With zero-slippage for big trades and transparent pricing, GMX pulls institutional players onchain, cementing its lead in EVM-based perps.

Read Also: Is WLFI Really Decentralized? Analyzing the Token

Orbs’ Perpetual Hub Ultra Levels the Field

Orbs is changing the game with Perpetual Hub Ultra, a Layer-3 tool that adds perps to spot DEXs like SpookySwap on Sonic and THENA on BNB Chain. 

Offering 60x leverage on 300+ pairs, it saves smaller DEXs from building costly perps systems. It delivers deep liquidity, aggregated order books, and intent-based trading, making high-leverage perps accessible across chains.

For partners, it’s a plug-and-play way to compete with bigger players, bringing futures to the omnichain world without security headaches.

ApeX Pro’s Custom Leverage Innovation

ApeX Pro, a newer PerpDEX, stands out on its Omni platform across multiple chains with an orderbook model. 

It offers up to 50x leverage with customizable risk settings – a rare feature letting traders fine-tune exposure. With resellable markets and low fees, it blends CeFi precision with DeFi openness.

Despite early liquidity challenges, partnerships and incentives are fueling growth. ApeX empowers traders with flexibility, proving on-chain perps can match any trading style.

On-Chain Perps: The New Trading Benchmark

PerpDEXs like dYdX, GMX, Orbs-powered platforms, and ApeX Pro show a thriving ecosystem. DeFi perps volumes hit $50B monthly in Q1 2025, up 150% YoY. 

Layer-2 scalability, CeFi-like UIs, and CEX failures drive this shift. Traders want control, and DEXs deliver with:

• Transparency: Clear pricing and governance beat CEX opacity.

• Self-Custody: No custodial risks, unlike centralized platforms.

Infrastructure like Orbs helps smaller DEXs join the perps race, making on-chain trading the go-to standard.

Read Also: Is Pi Network Truly Decentralised or Just Another Controlled System?

Conclusion

To wrap it up, DEXs are killing it in 2025, making on-chain perps the hot choice for traders. CEXs still lead in total volume, but their market share is shrinking fast – DeFi’s now the new CeFi for many.

With killer tech and a focus on user control, platforms like dYdX and GMX offer secure, profitable trading. If you’re eyeing leveraged crypto bets, check out these decentralized exchanges. The on-chain revolution is here, and it’s only getting bigger!

FAQ

What makes on-chain perps different from CEX perps?

On-chain perps run on DEXs with self-custody, transparency, and no intermediaries, unlike CEX perps that hold your funds.

How did dYdX improve speed with its appchain?

By moving to a Cosmos appchain, dYdX slashed latency to sub-second trades and cut costs, boosting high-frequency trading.

Why is GMX popular for big trades?

GMX’s GLP pool offers deep liquidity and zero slippage, letting large trades settle smoothly with transparent pricing.

What’s unique about Orbs’ Perpetual Hub Ultra?

It lets spot DEXs add perps with 60x leverage, deep liquidity, and intent-based trading—no need to build custom systems.

How does ApeX Pro stand out in perps trading?

ApeX Pro offers custom leverage up to 50x with fine-tuned risk control, giving traders flexibility across multiple chains.

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